Best Plant Nurseries In South Florida To Start Your Spring Garden

Spring is quickly approaching, which makes this the perfect time to start planning your spring garden. South Florida's springtime climate makes it the perfect atmosphere to plant a garden. Throughout the area there are excellent plant nurseries offering a variety of plants and even tropical fruit trees. The options are varied, and the staff is knowledgeable. With plentiful rain and sunshine, you're sure to have a bounty to pick come harvest time.

Sunkiss Nursery

2101 N. Dixie Highway
Pompano Beach, FL 33060
(954) 943-0550
www.sunkissnurseryinc.com

This expansive nursery offers a healthy selection of plants, perennials and shade trees. Sunkiss Nursery also offers patio items and garden accessories to add a decorative feel to your outdoor area. In business for over 35 years, this nursery provides expert advice on the types of plants to choose for the layout for your garden. For added convenience to South Floridians, the nursery has other locations including Wilton Manors, Delray Beach and Coral Springs. Sunkiss Nursery is open seven days a week by phone and in person.

Pine Island Nursery

16300 S.W. 184th St.
Miami, FL 33187
(305) 233-5501
www.tropicalfruitnursery.com

Since 1972, the owners of Pine Island Nursery have provided the best selection of trees in the South Florida area. It was voted the 2011 Best Plant Nursery by the Miami New Times. The inclusion of a tree can be a great addition to a garden. Plant options include tropical fruit favorites like avocado, mango, akee and plantains. Apple and bay leaf trees are also available for purchase. Gardeners can visit the nursery to make a purchase or even plaice a mail order. Plant Island Nursery's website is informative, including its Variety Viewer. The information on this feature includes ratings for flavor and color, production and whether or not the plant can be shipped.

Related: Best Botanical Gardens In Miami

Living Color Garden

3691 Griffin Road
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33312
(954) 985-8787
www.livingcolorgardencenter.net

The available inventory at this Ft. Lauderdale plant nursery clearly lives up to its distinctive name. The florals are bright and vibrant and the variety is abundant. Living Color's other products include statues and fountains to enhance the visual appeal of your garden. You can also choose from a set of garden themes, including Asian, Bahamian and topiary designs. The selection of plants includes vines, native plants, foliage shrubs and hedges. Living Color's Plant Lovers Club offers its members a discount on all plant purchases, plus advanced notice of upcoming specials and promotions.

Ready To Grow Gardens

409 S.W. 89th Court
Miami, FL 33133
(786) 436-7703
www.ready-to-grow.com

What's cool about this plant nursery is that it features edible gardens. Ready-To-Grow Gardens is a full-service company, offering garden designs, installation and even garden maintenance. It works with business, schools and private homes. The passion for food-producing gardens is vividly apparent in the work this company does as well as the plentiful selection of herbs, fruits and vegetables to choose from. You can choose fruits like guava, bananas and fig, or herbs such as basil, sage or lemon grass. Available vegetable plants include kale, cucumber, radish and sweet potatoes. At Ready-To-Grow, staff members are also passionate about educating people on food-producing gardens, which is why it offers teacher workshops, gardening lectures and gardening lessons at local schools.

Richard Lyons Nursery

20200 S.W. 134th Ave.
Miami, FL 33177
(305) 251-6293
www.richardlyonsnursery.com

Richard Lyons is a living legend and local expert in the area of gardening. It's no surprise that his nursery (bearing his name) provides high-quality plants and offers a personal one-on-one experience. Comprised of both flowering and edible plants, gardeners can choose to have one or both types in their garden this upcoming spring. If you've never heard of a sugar apple or sweet acacia, Richard will educate you on the plant as he gives you a tour of the property. You also have the opportunity to smell and taste the fruit of the plant. Richard prides himself on offering a selection of plants that you can't find at chain stores. The plant nursery's active blog covers several subjects, including one offering tips on handling weather changes and history of rare plant types.

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For nearly 20 years, Shawanda James has been actively involved in creative writing in Miami, Florida. In addition to her work as a freelance writer, she is actively seeking publication for her debut novel and collection of poetry. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.